Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Phoenix Suns: Top 15 best draft picks in franchise history

By Adam Maynes

PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns moves the ball upcourt during the NBA game against the Los Angeles Lakers at US Airways Center on February 19, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Lakers 102-90. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns moves the ball upcourt during the NBA game against the Los Angeles Lakers at US Airways Center on February 19, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Lakers 102-90. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OR – 1987: Walter Davis #6 of the Phoenix Suns throws the basketball during a game against the Portland Trail Blazers played circa 1987 at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1987 NBAE (Photo by Brian Drake/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – 1987: Walter Davis #6 of the Phoenix Suns throws the basketball during a game against the Portland Trail Blazers played circa 1987 at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1987 NBAE (Photo by Brian Drake/NBAE via Getty Images) /

‘The Man with the Velvet Touch,’ Walter Davis, is one of few players the Suns have drafted who walked on the court immediately as the best player on the roster in their first game. Davis may not have been the first player to do such a thing (Connie Hawkins undoubtedly did in 1969), but he is most assuredly the best rookie the franchise has ever had, and earned honors as the best rookie in the NBA winning the franchise’s second Rookie of the Year award in three seasons, as well as his first of four consecutive All-Star selections.

Davis’ rookie season was a resounding success, averaging 24.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, each career highs, as well as 3.4 assists and 1.4 steals. Sweet D also averaged 52.6 percent from the field, and 83.0 percent from the charity stripe. His 24.2 points per game are to this day the Suns’ record for rookie scoring, and still the franchise’s 10th highest single season scoring average (Devin Booker’s 24.9 per game in 2017-18 would have supplanted Davis on the franchise’s top-ten list had he met the minimum requirement for games played of 58, appearing in only 54.)

Davis followed up his incredible rookie campaign with a similarly fantastic sophomore season, averaging 23.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, while spiking his shooting percentage to 56.1. He would remain a key figure in the Suns’ offense for a total of 11 seasons, although a combination of knee and back injuries would slowly derail his explosiveness and mobility, causing him to miss 27 games in 1981-82, as well as 59 games in 1984-85.

Unfortunately in the 1987-88 season, Davis was implicated in a team-wide drug scandal himself needing to check into rehab clinics to battle a cocaine addition, all of which severely tarnished his image with the franchise, though he still remains a popular figure among fans. Following the season, General manager and soon owner, Jerry Colangelo offered Davis a token contract extension, although he chose to leave the organization on somewhat bitter grounds, signing a two-year deal with the Denver Nuggets.

A regular starter throughout his career, Davis would be a reserve in Denver for two-and-a-half seasons, before being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers for 32 games in 1991. Davis returned to Denver for the 1991-92 season to end his career and retired at the age of 37.

He holds the Suns franchise career records in a number of offensive categories, including field goals made and attempted, 2-pointers made and attempted, field goals missed, and total points with 15,666.

Davis retired second in his 1977 draft class in total points, fourth in assists, third in points per game, sixth in assists, fourth in win share, and fifth in win share per 48 minutes.

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